China issues travel advisory, asks foreign diplomats to 'stay away'

China has issued a travel advisory asking foreign diplomats to ''stay away'' from the country till June 1.

Foreign embassies have been told to postpone the return of diplomats and personnel rotation for a further two weeks.

Some diplomats have complained that Beijing’s restrictions on movement are excessive and contravene the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1961, which guarantees the free passage of envoys and diplomatic personnel.

However, Beijing justified its move by saying it was to reduce the risk of importing new coronavirus cases from overseas.

It also appreciated the ''strong support and cooperation'' of foreign embassies with regards to China’s measures to contain the coronavirus and appealed for their continued backing amid “great pressure to prevent imported infections”.

The news comes after the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on April 3 advised foreign diplomats to China currently outside the country not to return until May 15, after earlier prohibiting all foreigners, including those with visas and residence permits, from entering the country.